The People's Climate Haka takes place this Saturday, November 28 in Queen Street, following the People's Climate March, which begins at 11am in Albert Park.
The People's Climate Haka takes place this Saturday, November 28 in Queen Street, following the People's Climate March, which begins at 11am in Albert Park.
NZ public figures united on urging the government to act against climate change.
The video footage of thousands of people performing the 'Ka Mate' haka on Queen Street this Saturday is to be beamed around the world.
It's the People's Climate March, and the People's Climate Haka, and it's a challenge to world leaders to come to a binding agreement on lowering greenhouse gas emissions to stop global warming, and an inspiration for people to get out and march around the planet.
The videos below have already been seen by over a quarter of a million people around the world, having been shared across social networks by the large conglomerate of over 30 organisations organising the march in New Zealand - from environmental charities like WWF, to social agencies like Unicef, through to the Anglican Church and the Rail and Maritime Transport Union.
This Saturday, November 28, in 34 towns and cities, New Zealand citizens will take to the streets for the People's Climate March, which is expected to be the largest the country has ever seen.
The intention is to send the unequivocal message to the politicians and policy makers gathering in Paris for the United Nations Climate Change Summit: urgent action is required on emissions targets.
The mobilisation, beginning in Auckland's Albert Park at 11am, will continue down the country and then across the world in over 2000 events.
The March in Auckland will culminate in a mass haka on Queen Street. According to the organisers, this will be filmed and distributed globally with the intention of sending an inspirational challenge to politicians and other people marching around the world. In some cities over half a million people are expected to take to the streets.
Speaking to Element magazine, Auckland University professor and cultural icon Dame Anne Salmond was outspoken: "those who conspire to hide, discredit or ignore scientific findings about climate change are responsible for rising seas, drowning islands, heat-waves, terrifying storms and dying rivers.
"It is cynical and selfish for New Zealand to try and avoid playing our part in protecting the future of humanity and the planet."
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer is not optimistic about the negotiators in Paris being able to secure a legally binding agreement. "We already know Paris will fail in that aim.
"We know it because the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions countries have offered going into Paris will not be enough.
Sir Geoffrey Palmer.
"To reach the goal will take further negotiations after Paris."
Palmer is critical of the New Zealand government's efforts to curb emissions. "New Zealand has made a low-ball offer for Paris. It will allow a large increase in our greenhouse gas emissions above 1990 levels.
"No pathway has been announced by the Government as to how it will meet its own announced target of reducing its emissions by 50 per cent by 2050.
"If every country acted as New Zealand has, the increase in temperature will exceed 3 or perhaps 4 degrees, resulting in catastrophic consequences."
Matt Watson, ocean guru, and star of the ITM Fishing Show, is sick of the rhetoric from the New Zealand government. "In Paris I'd like to see our government set aside the politics and horse-trading and solely focus on the future, so we can get some sort of agreement to turn around climate change, because if the ocean is screwed, we're screwed.
Matt Watson.
"If the delicate balance of the oceans' ecosytem continues to tip toward collapse, future generations may never experience a living, abundant ocean and the simple pleasure of catching a fish to take home and eat."
Snowboarder, ballroom dancer and TV presenter Hayley Holt, will be attending Saturday's march.
"The government are harming our reputation with their lack of action on climate change. I believe we need a climate plan New Zealand can be proud of.
"On the global stage, experts have called our target "inadequate". That's just a pretty polite way to say that it really sucks.
"We've got a chance... to stand up, with people all over the world, and say that we want real action to protect the things we love, including New Zealand's reputation. We can create a good future for everyone, if we take this chance."
Find out more in Element magazine, out in the Herald on Monday, November 30.
The numbers Oil companies spend US$1.8b a day finding and exploiting fossil fuel reserves
Two thirds of the known fossil fuel reserves must stay in the ground to stay under two degrees centigrade, the globally agreed safe limit
Governments subsidise this global industry to the tune of US$1tn a year
